Russian PAK-FA Fighter Jet To Enter Regular Production In 2017

Russian fifth generation fighter aircraft, PAK-FA is set to complete government tests in 2016 and will start regular production in 2017.

“The eleventh T-50 aircraft is on berth and is 60-70 per cent ready. This aircraft is going to be the final one in the test series,” Air Force Commander-in-Chief Viktor Bondarev said to Ria Novosti news agency, adding he is 100 per cent sure the jets will pass government testing by the end of 2016.

“Next year the aircraft goes into serial production,”Bindarev said.

RT news quoted Bondarev as saying that the PAK-FA’s operational engine will be ready for testing next year and is likely to go into production in 2018. At the moment, the PAK-FA is powered with two AL-41F1 engines which enable it to fly at a supersonic cruise speed, have a 2,600 km/h top speed, and a range of 5,500 kilometers (with two drop tanks).

The next-stage engine, currently dubbed ‘Type 30,’ is expected to have better speed and fuel economy characteristics.